Carlos Tevez is ready to stun Manchester United and sign for arch-rivals City.
The Argentine international will switch loyalties at the end of this month when his two-year loan at Old Trafford expires.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson contacted Tevez during last week to try to persuade him to stay with United. Old Trafford insiders fear that approach has failed. Fergie made the call on the eve of the announcement that United had agreed to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid in a world record £80million deal.
Tevez was in Quito, Ecuador, on international duty with Argentina. He intends to take a family holiday and then accept a £140,000-a-week deal with City that dwarfs the contract offered by United.
It will be a bitter blow to United fans, who acclaimed the striker’s hard-working style.
Liverpool have also made a late move in the Tevez race.
But their hopes of spreading a £25m deal over four years will not appeal to businessman Kia Joorabchian, who retains ownership of the player at the moment.
Joorabchian has a solid working relationship with City manager Mark Hughes. And the City boss said: “I admire Tevez as a player and I like the way he approaches the game of football – that’s been recognised by most managers.â€
Hughes also insists his two Brazil internationals – Robinho and Elano – are staying at Eastlands.
Robinho, signed from Real Madrid for a British record £32.5m, has hinted at a switch to Barcelona, while Elano has been linked with Inter Milan.
Hughes said: “Robinho says he’s happy and wants to stay here and Elano is contracted for another two years.â€[/quote]
